Seven deacons of the Brooklyn Diocese are marking their 25th anniversary of ordination. They were part of a group of 11 men who were ordained permanent deacons at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, on May 15, 1993 by Bishop Thomas V. Daily.
The jubilarians are:
Deacon Dante Colandrea, a retired accountant and native of Naples, Italy, will celebrate with a visit to his family in Italy.
He has served at St. Athanasius Church, Bensonhurst, by performing weddings, preparing families for baptism and presiding at wake services. He also has served as a master of ceremonies to Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski and as a member of the staff at the Diocesan Tribunal.
His wife, Carmela, is deceased. He is the father of Michael, Marc and Marisa Pammer.
Deacon Thomas J. Devaney, a native of Jackson Heights, will mark the occasion with a prayerful retreat.
Currently serving in St. Ann’s parish, Washington, D.C., he is director of mission and pastoral care at Georgetown University and is also active in the RCIA program and ministry to the homebound.
He is married to Maureen and is the father of Sean.
Deacon Richard Gilligan, a retired manager in the telecommunications field and native of Brooklyn, will celebrate with a family dinner.
Active in St Mary Gate of Heaven parish, Ozone Park, he serves in the RCIA program, baptismal preparation, retreat director, presides at weddings and baptism and preaches at funerals. He is also involved in Pre-Cana sessions for couples about to be married.
He is married to Fran. They are the parents of Richie and James.
Deacon Ramon Smith, who was born in the Dominican Republic, will assist at an anniversary Mass of thanksgiving at Holy Redeemer Church in Orlando, Fla., where he has been serving for the past six years.
He is active there in nursing home ministry and as a member of the Osceola County Committee on Human Trafficking.
In the Brooklyn Diocese, he served at St. Teresa of Avila parish, Prospect Heights.
He is married to Generosa. They have four children, Edgar, Joan, Jennepher and Emmanuel.
Deacon John Sucich, who was the president of a general contracting firm, will assist at a Mass of thanksgiving at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Astoria, on Sunday, May 20, at 12:30 p.m.
He has been active in the parish as moderator of the lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, in Baptism preparation classes, wake services and performing weddings.
He serves as a master of ceremonies to Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto and has been involved with Catholic Charities.
He and his wife, Sandra, are the parents of Maryann, John and Matthew.
Deacon Luis Taylor, an accountant who was born in Panama City, Panama, will assist at a Mass of thanksgiving at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, St. Albans.
He serves at Our Lady of Light parish, St. Albans, where he is active in baptism preparations, visits to the homebound and hospital patients, presiding at Holy Hours, counseling and spiritual director. He also is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Married to Norma, they are the parents of Dwayne Taylor and Michele Braithwaite.
Deacon Dean T. Tully, an accountant, will mark the anniversary with a family dinner.
He serves at Holy Child Jesus parish, Richmond Hill, where is active with baptism preparation, wake services, Eucharistic services, and visits to Homestead Assisted Living Facility. He also preps couple for marriage and presides at weddings.
Married to Mildred, they are the parents of Keith and Daniel.
Also see : Permanent Deacons Told They Will Lead the New Evangelization